Open or Closed, That is the Question?

We just completed partaking in the Fox Cities Parade of Homes and the Green Bay Showcase of Homes. Our home designs differed greatly. Albeit, one was a Jon Huss Custom Home and the other one a Midwest Design Home. As a custom build, both homes reflected our clients personality’s and taste.

One client preferred the more open concept while the other strove for creating more intimate spaces with a closed design. Both homes were stunning and incorporated tons of storage; especially in the kitchen, laundry rooms, and master suites. Our parade home featured a large kitchen with a massive honed granite island as the centerpiece, open to the living room, providing a great gathering space. The showcase home, built for more intimate entertaining and living, creates a more formal atmosphere. While the kitchen opens to the dinette, it allows for dirty dishes to remain unseen by guests while entertaining in the living room or relaxing in the hearth room with a good book. Again this kitchen integrated oodles of storage and a fantastic pantry with additional prep space.

We received lots of compliments on both designs. In reality, a great kitchen design combines functionality along with ample storage and work space. Every kitchen needs to incorporate the work triangle to minimize your steps. Whether you prefer an open space or closed space depends on you and your lifestyle.

I’m adding photos of both designs. I’d love your comments about whether you prefer an open kitchen or a closed kitchen design.